On the feast of the Holy Name, Br. David Vryhof reminds us that names are powerful, and the act of naming can be a way of exerting power for good or for ill. He wonders, "How have I used words to bless or to curse?" How might you invoke the most powerful of all names, "Jesus," not only on your own behalf, but on behalf of others?

"Are your hearts so full of the wonder of life that you want to cry out with the psalmist, 'What shall I render to the Lord, for all his bounty to me?'" In the final sermon of the "Radical Practices" series, Br. David Vryhof explores how gratitude is a practice we can cultivate, becoming aware of the gifts that surround us and giving our thanks back to the God, the giver of all our gifts.

How can we experience the presence of Jesus with us, as the disciples did on the road to Emmaus? From altars calls to the eucharist and daily prayer, Br. Jim Woodrum explores concrete practices that can help put us in touch with the presence of Jesus, our constant companion.

On his return from sabbatical, Br. Geoffrey Tristram shares his experience of God's faithfulness throughout his life. "God is not capricious, moody, changeable, fickle. God is always true to his character, of love and mercy."

"We are all novices in the brave, new world of contemplation, whether we’re cultivating this way of prayer from scratch, deepening it, or re-committing ourselves to it." Br. Keith Nelson celebrates the beauty of this deceptively simple prayer practice and offers practical suggestions to encourage all to explore this path. Perhaps you too will experience the grace-filled moment of letting go when "You can stop flapping your wings, and let the air current buoy you up."

Br. Nicholas Bartoli proposes that the key ingredient needed for the Christian story to be transformative in our lives is our own participation in it, moment by moment. "The birth of Jesus to Mary, for example, means very little without Christ being born in our hearts. The resurrection has little power over us unless our hearts are enlightened by the resurrection light." He encourages us to spend Advent in prayerful readiness, emptying our hearts of all that is not Christ, so that we can meet the God who is waiting for us, even now.

What in your life is precious and needs to be protected? Br. James Koester explores how the monastic principle of enclosure can help us to protect whatever we treasure, whether that is the family meal, a garden, or our sleep. "The purpose of enclosure is not to inhibit or prohibit or even to deny something, but to protect something precious within."

Does the world seem to you to be in crisis right now? Br. Curtis Almquist views it as an "inviting crisis," since "All of us here do have access to the world that Christ so loves. To what corner of the world do you have access to be a Christ bearer, bringing Jesus’ light, and life, and love?"

What does God's dream look like and how do we participate in it? Br. James Koester declares "The dream of God is real, and we come to the Eucharist Sunday by Sunday and day by day, not because we want to lose ourselves in thoughts of some future, abstract and distant paradise, but because we want to experience that paradise today." We are called to work with Christ the King in building this dream in our own land and our own time.

What testimony can Christians give in the face of darkness, persecution, and suffering? Br. John Braught reflects on how "the experience of being loved so deeply by God empowers us to “not be terrified,” and to love even our enemies, which is what Christ commanded."